The misery of pothole-blighted roads can only be avoided if the Government plugs huge gaps in local authority funding, it has been claimed.

The warning comes as Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin publicises how £268m - public cash the Government first trumpeted in the summer - for road repairs in the North East will be spent.

The Government says the cash is “locked-in” at £45m-a-year over six years and will provide enough money to fix 800,000 potholes-a-year.

But Labour figures say the cash is a “trifling sum” that does nothing to offset enormous cutbacks forced upon North East councils.

Penny Marshall, Director of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, also called for a bigger commitment and pointed to a £12bn-a-year backlog of work across the UK.

Penny Marshall, ICE director for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber

She said: “The £6bn additional funding for local roads – previously announced in the summer but available from the next Parliament - will provide a welcome boost if it survives a post General Election spending review. However given the one time road maintenance “catch up” cost has been estimated at £12bn this year, a significant gap will remain in local authority revenue budgets.

“Additional funds should be complemented by a focussed, joint central and local government programme for the repair work. Given the pressure on local authorities, this would ensure the funds are protected, spent in a cost efficient way and ultimately result in improved road conditions for UK in the long term.”

Mr McLoughlin, however, insisted the cash was certain and that, far from being short-changed, councils now have the chance to plan ahead.

He said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends.

“It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1bn more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament.

“The £268 million funding I am announcing today for the North East will put an end to short term fixes and will mean we have committed £10 billion between 2010 and 2021.

“This huge investment is part of our long term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century.”

A further £578m has been set aside for an incentive fund scheme which will start in 2016 where councils can prove they have made savings.

Kevan Jones MP

Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, said the cash for roads is completely at odds with huge cuts to local authority budgets.

He said: “This is another example of Government spin taken to ridiculous lengths.

“It works out at £3m-a-year for each council, which is a trifling sum compared to the £140m cuts that Durham County Council has had to save, in excess of £40m which has been identified by the Chancellor.

“One area which will be affected despite this money will be roads maintenance. This announcement is also in light of the local government spending settlement, which again sees Northern councils lose out to Tory heartlands in the South.”